Husband defends accused teacher in domestic violence case

An elementary school teacher faces an assault charge related to a domestic violence incident that occurred this week.

Kevin Ellis

An elementary school teacher faces an assault charge related to a domestic violence incident that occurred this week.

Cherryville Elementary School teacher Sharon Denise Putnam left fingernail marks on her husband, Adam, after the two had an argument over a cell phone video, according to a warrant affidavit signed by Stanley Police Officer J.L. Abernathy.

Putnam, 37, was booked into Gaston County Jail at 11:01 p.m. Monday and released at 4:39 p.m. Tuesday after going before a judge. She was released on an unsecured bond.

Under state law, a person accused of an assault in a domestic violence incident cannot be released from custody until they have a first appearance hearing before a District Court judge.

According to a warrant affidavit, Sharon Putnam’s father called police because his daughter and son-in-law were arguing.

During the argument, Adam Putnam told police he took out his cell phone and started videotaping his wife “getting very upset.”

Putnam said he had to “barricade himself in the bathroom,” but that his wife started kicking and shoving trying to get to him, according to the warrant.

“Once the suspect got into the bathroom, she tore the victim’s pants to get the phone out and throw it into the toilet,” Abernathy wrote in the warrant affidavit.

The officer noted he could see fingernail marks and scratches on Adam Putnam’s upper arm.

Adam Putnam said he showed up at his wife’s first court appearance and defended her again on Wednesday.